Author Archives: Rick Piltz

Hansen: It’s time for the politics to follow the science on global warming

“President Obama speaks of a ‘planet in peril,’ but he does not provide the leadership needed to change the world’s course. Our leaders must speak candidly to the public,” James Hansen writes in a powerful op-ed column in the New … Continue reading

Posted in Science Communication, Science-Policy Interaction | 1 Comment

A coordinated right-wing campaign to turn the US public against renewable energy?

“A network of ultra-conservative groups is ramping up an offensive on multiple fronts to turn the American public against wind farms and Barack Obama's energy agenda,” the UK Guardian reports.  Having pushed global climatic disruption pretty much off the radar … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change Mitigation, Global Warming Denial Machine | 1 Comment

White House sat on BP Gulf disaster photos: Where’s the ‘scientific integrity’ policy to cover that?

Previously unreleased government photos show “the White House and BP have been hiding the truth about the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf,” says John Hocevar, Ocean Campaign Director at GreenpeaceUSA.  Who was responsible for the government taking almost two … Continue reading

Posted in Obama Administration | Leave a comment

Even denialist Rep. Sensenbrenner recoiled at loathsome Heartland Institute Unabomber global warming billboard

Heartland took down its billboard comparing those who support climate science to the Unabomber when it became clear that they had stooped too low even for Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wisconsin), a hard-nosed denialist who has engaged in a McCarthyist jihad … Continue reading

Posted in Global Warming Denial Machine | 3 Comments

Al Armendariz of EPA was right about environmental law enforcement

The resignation of Al Armendariz as a regional Environmental Protection Agency administrator is a loss for the people of Texas and surrounding states. A two-year-old video showing him making some unfortunately phrased remarks while explaining his philosophy of regulatory enforcement … Continue reading

Posted in Obama Administration | 2 Comments

"How should students engage and contribute?"

A few thoughts in response to this question, posed during a lecture on climate change at the American University, Washington, DC.

Posted in Climate Science Watch | Leave a comment

Who is threatened by climate science?

From a lecture at the American University School of International Service, Washington, DC, April 26:  A few thoughts about the political and cultural implications of the climate change problem and what it implies for going forward.

Posted in Climate Science Watch | 2 Comments

On some questions about blogosphere skirmishing

Dealing with denialists in the blogosphere is part of the skirmishing within the 99%, we said to a class at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.  It doesn’t touch the power elite that makes the most consequential decisions in … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Science Watch | 1 Comment

On the intellectually empty, politically motivated attacks on NASA climate scientists by former astronauts

With the 2013 NASA budget endangered by upcoming votes in Congress, attacks on Earth Science (where climate research and observing systems are funded) are to be expected.  A denial machine letter signed by 49 former NASA administrators, astronauts, and engineers – … Continue reading

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Hansen: Climate science and moral responsibility

Calling climate change an issue of intergenerational justice on a par with ending slavery, James Hansen will argue in his lecture on being awarded the Edinburgh Medal that current generations have an overriding moral duty to their children and grandchildren … Continue reading

Posted in Science Communication | 5 Comments